MIDVALE — Jose Izazaga, 16, and his 15-year-old sister, Abril, clung to each other as Mario Cervantes-Angel fired multiple rounds at them, according to new court documents.
After the two fell to the ground, their wounds already about to become fatal, Cervantes-Angel allegedly went up to Jose, placed the gun directly on his head and pulled the trigger.
But the gun jammed.
The horrific details were released Thursday in charging documents filed in 3rd District Court. Cervantes-Angel is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; and possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a second-degree felony.
On July 6, Cervantes-Angel, 28, of West Valley City, was among a group of four people who went to a condominium complex at 759 W. 7720 South to confront Jose about a T-shirt and other property, according to police. An 18-year-old man, his sister, his mother and the mother's boyfriend, Cervantes-Angel, were present, according to charging documents.
All of the males involved "engaged in a verbal and physical altercation," and all the females present did the same, the charges state. When Cervantes-Angel went to the women's fight and pulled Abril's hair before "slamming her against a brick wall," Jose pulled out a knife to defend his sister, the charges state.
That's when Cervantes-Angel pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot the two teenage siblings multiple times, according to the charges.
"Witnesses stated Abril was hugging Jose as they were shot," the charges state.
After both fell to the ground, Cervantes-Angel walked over and "attempted to fire the gun several more times," investigators wrote.
As Cervantes-Angel drove away with his group, he said "if any of them said anything they would be next," charging documents state.
Jose and the 18-year-old man who confronted him were former close friends who had slept at each other's homes before, according to investigators. As of Friday, no charges had been filed against the others who were present.
Cervantes-Angel was arrested at a cousin's house in West Valley City. Prosecutors say he is in the United States illegally. Bail was set at $2 million cash only.
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